With the NFL trade deadline nearing, Bill Belichick and the Patriots swung a pair of deals Tuesday, shipping tight end A.J. Derby to Denver for a fifth-round pick and acquiring linebacker Kyle Van Noy from Detroit.

Below, we'll analyze the type of player the Pats are getting in Van Noy.

**Van Noy was a second-round pick in 2014. The Pats parted with a 2017 sixth-rounder in exchange for the veteran linebacker and a seventh-round pick, according to multiple reports.

This is another example of a buy low by the Pats, who in August traded a fifth-rounder for Barkevious Mingo, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2013 draft. Mingo has not contributed much on defense to date. The Pats also took in guard Jonathan Cooper, the No. 7 overall pick in 2014, as part of the Chandler Jones trade. Cooper could not get healthy, though, and was ultimately waived earlier this month.

**Van Noy had been starting at strongside linebacker for the Lions. At 6-foot-3, 243 pounds, Van Noy carved out a role defensively for the first time in his three-year career. A sports hernia injury delayed his rookie season by nine games, and a hip injury limited him in training camp a year ago.

This season, he reportedly got into the best shape of his pro career.

He lost 15 pounds in the offseason.

"We keep saying the same thing about Kyle, and it all started last year in the offseason when he came back he was in the best shape that he's been in, which allowed him to practice and learn the position better than he's ever been able to," Lions defensive coordinator said in early October, according to The Detroit News. "I think that's why he's continued to play and when he had an opportunity to play he's taken advantage of it and I think he's done a good job for us so far."

In August, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said something similar.

"When he came back, he's in better shape than he's ever been -- body fat percentage, strength levels, all of those kinds of things," Caldwell said, according to MLive. "During our time off, he didn't take time off it appears, looking at his numbers. He just went right to work, and I think you can see a difference out there."

**Van Noy looks to have the size and skill set to play on the edge or off the line, just like backups Shea McClellin and Barkevious Mingo. Neither player has been impressive thus far, though, so perhaps the Pats felt more depth was needed at the position.